The Rooftop Pool
Heated and partially glass-enclosed, installed in 1972 and still one of London's most photographed hotel spaces.
The Berkeley London — A Complete Guide to the Iconic Knightsbridge Hotel
Two centuries of heritage, a Forbes Five-Star rating, a rooftop pool, and one of the world's finest pâtissiers — an honest, in-depth look at what makes The Berkeley different.
Forbes Five-Star · Knightsbridge · From approx. £700/night
Begin the guideAn Introduction to The Berkeley
Tucked between the leafy avenues of Knightsbridge, Belgravia and Hyde Park, The Berkeley has stood as one of London's most coveted addresses for over two centuries — a hotel where storied heritage and contemporary luxury exist in seamless harmony.
As a flagship property within the Maybourne Hotel Group — the same collection that includes Claridge's and The Connaught — The Berkeley occupies its own distinct identity. It isn't the most traditional of the three, nor the most overtly grand. What it offers instead is a kind of confident, design-led luxury that feels current without trying too hard.
This guide covers everything you need to know: the hotel's history, a room-by-room breakdown of its suites and signature spaces, detailed profiles of every dining venue, the rooftop pool and Surrenne Belgravia wellness spa, practical planning information, current offers, and an honest comparison with London's other top-tier luxury hotels.
What Makes The Berkeley Uniquely Special
Cédric Grolet at The Berkeley
A counter experience from one of the world's finest pâtissiers — he has held the title of World's Best Pastry Chef — with no real equivalent in the city.
La Môme London
French Riviera glamour and a garden terrace inspired by the original La Môme in Monaco.
Surrenne Belgravia
A serious standalone wellness destination, not just a hotel spa add-on.
Designer Suites
Each signature suite designed by a different acclaimed interior designer — distinct creative visions within a single building, executed to an exceptionally high standard.
Forbes Five-Star Rating
Awarded to fewer than 2% of hotels reviewed globally — one of the industry's most rigorous independent benchmarks.
A Rich History — From Berkeley Street to Wilton Place
1897
The Berkeley opened in 1897 on Berkeley Street in Mayfair — a prime address that lent the property both its name and its early cachet. From the outset, it positioned itself as a hotel for discerning guests who valued discretion and quality over ostentation, attracting aristocracy, politicians, artists and international visitors.
Interwar Years
The Cavendish Room, which operated as one of the hotel's principal dining rooms in the interwar period, was patronised by the Edwardian and Georgian social set — including figures from the arts, politics and aristocracy who regarded it as a natural extension of their London social round.
1972
The Berkeley relocated from its original Mayfair premises to its current address at Wilton Place, Knightsbridge — a complete reinvention of the physical hotel, purpose-built for a new generation of luxury travellers, and introducing the now-famous rooftop pool.
Today
The Berkeley is now part of the Maybourne Hotel Group, which also owns Claridge's and The Connaught. The group is privately held, which gives it a long-term orientation reflected in the quality and consistency of each property's offering.
Inside The Berkeley — Suites, Dining, Pool and Spa
A room-by-room look at what defines the guest experience, from Classic Rooms through to signature suites, the dining programme, the rooftop pool and Surrenne Belgravia.
Suites & Rooms — Designer Luxury at Every Turn
The Berkeley offers 214 rooms and suites across a range of categories. Classic Rooms are priced from approximately £700–£900 per night; One-Bedroom Suites from approximately £1,500–£2,500 per night, with larger suites and penthouses priced considerably higher. At the top sit the Knightsbridge Pavilion Penthouse and the Hyde Park Penthouse. Each signature suite has been designed by a different acclaimed interior designer — you're not choosing between Room Type A and Room Type B, but between distinct creative visions.
Suite inclusions are substantial: Dom Pérignon on arrival, monogrammed bathrobes, private return airport transfers, daily breakfast and complimentary access to Surrenne Belgravia.
Dining — A World-Class Culinary Destination
Cédric Grolet's intimate counter brings a pâtissier of global standing to London with no real equivalent in the city. La Môme London brings French Riviera warmth to Knightsbridge via a garden terrace inspired by the original in Monaco. The Berkeley Café serves as the hotel's all-day dining anchor, and the summer 'Capri in the City' concept turns the rooftop into one of London's most atmospheric dining destinations.
The Rooftop Pool — London's Most Iconic Hotel Pool
Heated and partially glass-enclosed, the pool is usable across a longer season than you might expect for an outdoor London pool. Views extend across the low-rise residential streets of Belgravia to the south, the green expanse of Hyde Park to the north, and the Knightsbridge roofscape in every direction. Cabanas and poolside food and drink are available, and access is managed to preserve the atmosphere.
Surrenne Belgravia — A Serious Wellness Destination
Surrenne is worth treating as a serious facility in its own right rather than simply a hotel spa add-on. Available to hotel guests and external members, the treatment menu covers facials, body treatments, massage therapies and more targeted wellness interventions, with a well-equipped fitness suite. Suite guests receive complimentary access as part of their stay inclusions.
Location & Setting — The Heart of Knightsbridge
Wilton Place sits at the northern edge of Belgravia. Knightsbridge Underground is approximately five minutes' walk; Harrods is a seven-minute walk to the west; Hyde Park is directly to the north; the Victoria and Albert Museum is a fifteen-minute walk through South Kensington; and the quiet garden squares of Belgravia are immediately to the south and east.
The Berkeley vs. Other Luxury London Hotels
An honest look at how The Berkeley compares to its Maybourne siblings and Park Lane's grande dame — where each wins and where The Berkeley pulls ahead.
The Berkeley vs. Claridge's
Claridge's is the most architecturally grand of the three Maybourne properties — Art Deco in its bones, Mayfair in its postcode. The Berkeley is, by comparison, more relaxed, contemporary and intimate. Pricing at both operates at broadly the same £700–£900 entry level. If you want the full pomp of a traditional grand London hotel, Claridge's wins; if you want a hotel that feels like it belongs to this decade, The Berkeley is the stronger choice.
The Berkeley vs. The Connaught
The Connaught in Mayfair is the most quietly exclusive of the three — smaller, more discreet, with a loyal returning guest base. The Berkeley has a slightly more outward-facing personality — the rooftop pool, Cédric Grolet, La Môme — which makes it more accessible to first-time visitors and more talked-about in the city's food and social media landscape.
The Berkeley vs. The Dorchester
The Dorchester on Park Lane is a different proposition entirely — larger, more international, positioned directly on Hyde Park. The Berkeley is smaller, more curated and arguably more consistent as a result. For those who value design coherence, a rooftop pool and a more intimate atmosphere, The Berkeley is the more compelling choice.
On a rooftop pool, signature dining, dedicated spa and location, The Berkeley's combination is genuinely without direct parallel in London.
| Feature | The Berkeley | Claridge's | The Connaught | The Dorchester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rooftop Pool | Yes (heated) | No | No | No |
| Signature Dining | Cédric Grolet, La Môme | The Davies & Brook | Hélène Darroze | Alain Ducasse |
| Dedicated Spa | Surrenne Belgravia | No dedicated spa | No dedicated spa | The Spa at The Dorchester |
| Location | Knightsbridge / Belgravia | Mayfair | Mayfair | Park Lane |
| Approx. Standard Room | £700–£900/night | £700–£900/night | £700–£900/night | £700–£900/night |
Offers, Packages & Planning Your Stay
A Family Story Package
Suite bookings receive a complimentary second room for the family; non-suite bookings receive a 50% discount on a second bedroom — a meaningful inclusion given the nightly rates at this level.
Seasonal Summer Stays
Packages built around the rooftop pool, the La Môme terrace, the Cédric Grolet counter and Hyde Park — bundling accommodation with dining credits, spa access and pool reservations to create a complete London summer experience from a single booking.
Gift Vouchers and The Berkeley Shop
Gift vouchers for stays, dining and spa experiences, plus a lifestyle shop of home fragrance, branded stationery and carefully chosen lifestyle accessories that carry the hotel's aesthetic sensibility. Accessible via the-berkeley.co.uk.
Practical Information
Standard check-in is 3:00 PM and check-out is 12:00 noon. The Berkeley is pet-friendly; on-site parking is limited but valet parking can be arranged; suite bookings include private return airport transfers as standard; and the property has invested in accessibility features across the hotel, with the concierge team available to arrange adapted rooms and tailored assistance.
How to Book
Direct booking is strongly recommended for the best available rate guarantee, welcome amenities and Maybourne Rewards benefits — including points accrual on qualifying stays, priority room upgrade requests and access to exclusive member rates not available through third-party platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions travellers ask most often when planning a stay at The Berkeley — answered honestly and in one place.